Foodie Heaven: Cork City’s English Market

The famous 'English Market' in Cork is a covered food market that has been trading since 1788.

The English Market is located in the bustling, vibrant centre of Cork City. This fabulous roofed space has been a hub for those seeking the very finest in traditional Irish food items since 1788, meaning that it is one of the longest-running municipal trading spaces in the world. It is now famed for its commitment to organic food produce.

Sign above the entrance to The English Market in Cork.

You may wonder why a famous Irish market is called the ‘English Market’. Several theories exist: that it was so named because English was the main language spoken there in contrast to its Irish-speaking competitors, or that its design was based on an English model, or even that only English residents in the city were permitted to shop there. In reality, it seems that the market took its name from the fact that the Market was established by the English Protestants that ran the city up until the year 1841.

Following a shake-up of the local government in 1840, responsibility for running the market was taken on by the (majority) Catholic representatives, who then set up a new ‘Irish Market’ – so named in order to distinguish it from its rival. Essentially, then, the moniker can be dated from this transitional period, and today it still stands as a destination for those seeking an eclectic range of high-quality organic food. Today it is known far and wide as the place to go for the best examples of traditional Irish food in the city, including delicious meats, fish and Irish cheese.

Evolution

This serves to illustrate how the history of the market is inextricably linked with the evolution of Cork City in a social, economic, political and even dietary context. Through time, the market has been at the epicentre of changing food fashions and tastes, all the while retaining a strong grip on classic Irish food traditions. These days, while dedicated foodies flock to the market to source high-quality modern treats such as artisan bread and wonderful organic produce of all types, so too can local working-class residents continue to shop for traditional Irish delicacies such a crubeens (pigs’ feet), drisheen (blood sausage) tripe, cheap cuts of meat, battlebord, buttered eggs and other hearty Irish fare.

A wide variety of fresh meat is on display on the various butchers stalls in the market.

History of The English Market

The original market threw open its doors in 1788, initially selling only meat, though stalls selling fruit and vegetables and wild fowl swiftly followed, forming the parameters of the market as we know it today. The city of Cork was modernising at a jaunty pace at this time, and this new flagship market became the beating heart of the commercial district.

At first the produce sold in the market was very much targeted towards wealthier citizens of the city, illustrated by the fact that in 1874 a pair of Christmas turkeys would have relieved a skilled artisan worker of practically a whole week’s wages. It seems quite clear then that an average Cork resident would have been buying the ingredients for their Christmas dinner elsewhere. Generally speaking, poorer people existed on a diet consisting of cheaper foodstuffs such as bread and oatmeal rather than meats, which were the preserve of the rich.

A view of a selection of the Food Stalls at The English Market in Cork.

Events in the wider world often affected the market. In December 1920, the Market managed to remain almost unscathed when British forces burned the city. In 1922, in the aftermath of independence, the Market became a victim of both restructuring and Cork City’s protracted period of economic depression. It started to transition to a more working-class destination, and the foodstuffs on offer therefore changed to reflect this new target group. A petition from the traders to rename it ‘Our Lady’s Market’ was rejected in 1954, and later in 1973 and 1988 it held fast against suggestions that it should be redeveloped as office space.

Cork’s English Market in Modern Times

In 1980 the English Market was very nearly totally destroyed by a fire, but like a phoenix rising from the ashes, it took this opportunity to reinvent itself as a thoroughly modern and more gentrified shopping destination. This was in part due to the arrival of traders from further afield, who brought with them organic food items such as Irish cheese, fish, olives, spices, herbs and fresh pasta. These new traders happily co-existed with those offering more traditional Irish food, resulting in the diverse selection of stalls seen in the market today. Smaller speciality stalls sit next to larger ones, and newer stall-holders exchange banter with those from established family businesses that have traded in the space for hundreds of years.

Farmhouse Cheeses, Charcuterie, Fresh Breads, Irish Artisan Food, French Epicerie and Specialities makes this stall one of the rendez vous points for Irish Gourmets and Foodies in the English Market.

Melting Pot

The sheer abundance of quality, fresh sea food on Kay O’Connells stand is worth a visit. You can also see Pat O’Connell the man who made the Queen laugh so famously on her visit.

In May 2011, the English Market was given a boost by a visit from Queen Elizabeth II, who toured the space, speaking to many traders as she did so. Today the market caters to all tastes and budgets, selling a huge range of foodie delights, including a wide range of organic food such as fish, meats, herbs and spices, delicious pastries and cakes, vegetables, fruit, pasta and Irish cheese, and there are non-food items such as art, clothing and crockery, to name but a few. The market is also home to a number of popular delis and cafes – perfect to relax in after a hard few hours of shopping and to drink in the unique atmosphere of this fabulous destination. The expanding and diversifying customer base, including locals, recent immigrants and tourists, has resulted in a wonderful melting pot, with more and more people enjoying traditional Irish food that is truly representative of the modern Cork City.

Event Details

The 68th Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will take place in Drogheda. This will be the first time in the history of the Fleadh that it is being held on the

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Event Details

The 68th Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will take place in Drogheda. This will be the first time in the history of the Fleadh that it is being held on the north east coast of Ireland.

The annual Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann has grown over the years to be the largest and most unique cultural festival in the world. With attendance numbers in excess of 400,000 one can truly see its importance. Its significance is cultural, economic and social and it is a tribute to all those who kept the cultural traditions of Ireland alive down through the decades.

For a great many musicians, the Fleadh is the culmination of months of hard work and practice as they compete against fellow musicians, singers and dancers at local Fleadhanna so as to achieve the recognition of being an All-Ireland champion.

For others, the Fleadh is a unique and welcoming festival featuring the very best of traditional arts and offering a wide range of activities to be enjoyed by all.

This years Fleadh will have a significant emphasis on youth with children’s mid-morning sessions organised to run from Monday through to Thursday from 11.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m. in the Barbican Centre. It will also offer an extensive youth programme which aims to increase student’s awareness of Irish culture and tradition and encourage them to become actively involved in the Fleadh.

Fiddles and bodhrans which were made by the Drogheda Men’s Shed and decorated by secondary school students in the town were on display at the launch and these will be displayed in various shops throughout the town during the Fleadh in August.

Families will be well catered for with lots of events at Seachtain na Gaeilge and the Mid Morning Sessions in the Barbican Centre which will be hosted by Sean O’Laoire, well known singer and Gaeilgeoir from Co. Meath.

Tickets are available to purchase for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2018 and the line-up of events, activities and performances, which will take place every day from Sunday 12th through to Sunday 19th August 2018, is available to view at www.fleadhcheoil.ie.

Event Details

The annual Féile Ceol na Locha Summer School in the Gaeltacht area of Tourmakeady, will take place this year from the 13th to the 17th of August. It is a music, culture and language school sponsored mainly by Údaras na Gaeltachta and An Comhairle Ealaíon, and is held at Coláiste Mhuire, with all tuition provided through the medium of Irish.

Now in its 20th year, the school provides training at beginners and intermediate level in the following subjects: button accordion, tin whistle, fiddle, harp, flute, bodhrán, guitar, concertina, sean-nós dancing, irish singing, art and conversational Irish. Most of the teachers are back year after year.

During the week there will be evening sessions in the local pubs where the tutors, students and locals will be playing.

Registration for the Classes/Workshops will commence in Coláiste Mhuire on at 9.30am on Monday. The Classes/Workshops then take place during the mornings between 10am and 1.30pm. The Summer School is open to all ages from 9 years of age, no upper limit.

For the 5 to 9 years age category, there is Óige Ceol na Locha. The activities include games, art, singing.

On the final day of the summer school the teachers and students will participate in a finale concert at Coláiste Mhuire. This concert provides a great opportunity for all the participants to play and dance together.

Then, early on Friday evening there will be a Barbeque for everyone. This will be held at Paddy’s Bar which is in the village.

Over the years, the school has taken on an international flavour, with participants coming from the UK, Europe and the USA.

As already mentioned, all tuition is through the medium of the Irish language.

For full details of the Summer School and to register for a place, please visit the Ceol na Locha website.

Event Details

Now in its 16th year, Masters of Tradition celebrates the best of Irish and International traditional music in its’ purest form through a series of concerts, talks and performances.
The performances

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Event Details

Now in its 16th year, Masters of Tradition celebrates the best of Irish and International traditional music in its’ purest form through a series of concerts, talks and performances.

The performances take place mainly in Bantry House, which is one of Ireland’s most exquisite historic mansions, and in other venues such as St Brendan’s Church.

The event provides a platform where subtle and sometimes obscure elements of Irish traditional music can be heard. By seeking the heart of the music we find a universal voice that has widespread appeal reaching across many cultural and musical barriers.

The festival is headlined by its Artistic Director, Martin Hayes, the fiddler from East Clare, whose distinctive touch and extravagant virtuosity has brought the tradition to new levels. His famous trance-evoking sets with Dennis Cahill have mesmerised audiences all over the world and will do so again this summer!

This year, Masters of Tradition is broadening its reach through two exciting new endeavours Ceolchoirm Rúnda (Secret Concerts) and Cainteanna (Talks).

The Secret Concerts will take place in unusual venues throughout the Bantry area. Admission to these concerts is free but booking is required. If you want to find out who is performing, you’ll just have to come along!

The Cainteanna (Talks) series includes discussions and chats exploring music,
creativity, tradition, philosophy, poetry and history with an occasional tune
or two for good measure. Details on each of these afternoon events are
included throughout the programme.

Also, during the festival impromptu sessions of extraordinary quality continue non-stop day and night on the streets and in the pubs.

Tickets are available to purchase for Masters of Tradition 2018 and the line-up of events, activities and performances, which will take place every day from Wednesday 22nd through to Sunday 26th August 2018, is available to view at www.westcorkmusic.ie/mastersoftradition/programme.

Event Details

The Crotty Galvin Traditional Music Weekend, is one of the most authentic and friendliest festivals you are likely to find. It is held at Garrihys Bar in Moyasta, near the

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Event Details

The Crotty Galvin Traditional Music Weekend, is one of the most authentic and friendliest festivals you are likely to find. It is held at Garrihys Bar in Moyasta, near the stunning Loop Head peninsula and named after three celebrated local musicians, Ellen ‘Nell’ Galvin, PJ Crotty and his brother Peadar Crotty.

Musicians, dancers, singers and storytellers are invited every year to perform for the weekend. This year marks its 16th year with it going from strength to strength each year. The weekend features a great line-up of sessions, ceilis, dancing and music classes.

On Saturday afternoon, there will be free music and dance workshops. These will be between 12 and 4pm and are always well attended. The Workshops/Classes will cover Tin Whistle, Concert Flute, Fiddle, Brush Dance and Séan Nós Dancing.

The Weekend kicks off on Friday night at 8pm with a Seisiún. Then at 9.30pm the weekend will be Officially Opened by Jesse McNamara. This will be followed by another Seisiún and a Ceilí with Dal Gcais Ceilí Band.

On Saturday there will be a visit to the green (weather permitting) with a short prayer and a few tunes and an afternoon Seisiún with the Ann Hayes Group in Garrihy’s which will include a host of very talented young musicians. At 5pm the evening Seisiún will begin and will continue well into the night.

Remember that all Musicians are welcome to join in the Siesiúns!

Sunday starts off with Mass in St Flannans Church, Lisdeen at 9.30am followed by a visit to Lisdeen Cemetery to the graves of Nell Galvin and Peadar Crotty.

An afternoon Seisiún will commence at 2pm and then between 7 and 10pm the Seisiún Mór/Ceilí with Shandrum Ceilí Band will be on full flow in the Front Bar and from 10 onwards Donie Nolan and friends will be in the Lounge for a Ceilí.

Event Details

This September sees the second Fingal Fleadh and Fair take place in Swords. The medieval grounds of Swords Castle and the Main Street in Swords Village will host a programme of

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Event Details

This September sees the second Fingal Fleadh and Fair take place in Swords. The medieval grounds of Swords Castle and the Main Street in Swords Village will host a programme of workshops and recitals.

This event celebrates the strong tradition of music in the Fingal community and will be centred around participation and performance with free Workshops and Concerts by some of the biggest names in traditional Irish music. It is geared very much for all the family with something for everyone to enjoy.

John Spillane will be returning again this year and performing his ‘Songs We Learned in School’ set which proved to be very popular last year.

Swords Castle will be the key venue for the event with free concerts featuring Lumiere, Kíla, Danú, The Whileaways, The Dixie Micks, John Spillane, The Mulcahy Family, Niamh Parsons and many more.

Also in the castle grounds there will be an Artisan Food, Drink & Craft Fair.

This year there will be a Street Seisiún Competition which will take over Swords on Saturday the 8th with the Main Street closed to traffic.

During the festival there will a ‘Session Trail’ around the town which will feature a mixture of performances and open sessions by musicians from all over the country.

The Fingal Fleadh is the perfect place to meet up with all of your friends for a few tunes and to enjoy a weekend of great music.

If you have any queries regarding the Fingal Fleadh & Fair, please email: [email protected]